Facebook Has a New AI-Powered Search Feature, but It Should Be Used With Caution.
Meta is launching a new AI-powered search mode on Facebook. It will synthesize content from public posts, so instead of a list of links, users will receive a concise response similar to AI-generated results on other platforms. Powered by Meta AI, this feature will also allow users to engage in ongoing discussions and ask follow-up questions in plain language based on search results.
According to Meta’s announcement of the new search feature, the AI mode provides “answers based on what people are saying publicly in our apps,” using information collected from across platforms like groups and Reels. As TechCrunch notes , this feature works similarly to the AI-powered “Question” tab found in Meta’s recently launched forum app, allowing users to get answers to questions from various groups.
You should still check Meta’s AI-powered search results.
While extracting information from user-generated content containing personal experiences can be useful, Meta AI (and similar tools) should be used with caution. Clearly, AI responses should already be thoroughly vetted, as they often contain misinformation and distortions, even when taken from trusted sources. As 404 Media reports , it’s surprisingly easy to manipulate AI search results using user-generated content on Reddit and Wikipedia. In fact, nearly a quarter of all links used by AI tools like Google AI and ChatGPT come from such sites.
Many posts on Meta platforms contain misinformation and spam, and like many social networks, Facebook relies on community feedback rather than third-party fact-checking. Furthermore, user-generated content isn’t the most reliable source. At best, the data extracted by AI-powered search engines may be outdated—for example, a restaurant recommended in a travel post may actually have closed. At worst, the information may be intentionally misleading or malicious.